News About This Theater

Originally opened as the Elite Theatre in around 1937, it had a seating capacity of 824 and was designed by architect Wilfred B. Verity. It is just down the street from International Creative Management and The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.

By 1948 it had been renamed Music Hall Theatre, and it was renovated in 1960 to the plans of architect Arthur J. Drielsma. It was later tripled and renovated in the mid-1990’s. In 2005, the seating capacities in the three auditoriums were;142, 98 and 259. Its Art Deco style appearance has remained to this day and continues to be a local favorite showing independent films. It was threatened with closure in early-2011, but got a least a one year extension on its lease.

Good news, everyone! We finalized a one-year (minimum) extension of operation for the Music Hall in Beverly Hills!
Now we need your advice. Only increased support by the community surrounding the Music Hall will keep it open. What would make you more likely to attend the theater? Extended hours? Changes in programming?… Leave your wish list in the comments below or on our website: http://laemmle.com/generalinfo.php

In response to a suggestion on their Facebook page of having later screenings, Laemmle replied: “Unfortunately, Beverly Hills municipal code prohibits us from starting movies after 10pm.” That’s not a great help when trying to entice younger movie goers.
Plus BH’s parking rules and enforcement are Draconian.

It’s terrific Laemmle got a one year lease reprieve. But I’d bet the landlord is just buying time until the economy turns around to put retail/office space there.

Architect J. Arthur Drielsma designed the renovation of the Music Hall for Herbert Rosener that is featured in the 1960 Boxoffice article that Tinseltoes linked to earlier. The project involved completely rebuilding the gutted interior as well as redesigning the front.

So far, Laemmle has managed to keep this house open a year beyond its reported closing date. The slack real estate market probably has something to do with that.